Hello,

My name is Jimin Lim and I strongly believe that I possess the qualities that would make a great English teacher. Immigrating to the U.S. in my elementary school years, I grew up in a bicultural environment, where I was able to maintain my bilingual skill in Korean and English and broaden my perspectives in western and eastern culture. Learning that my international flexibility can be a very valuable skill in today’s globalizing world, I devoted myself in enhancing my gift and decided to pursue my career in this area.

Majoring in International Studies focused on East Asia, I expanded my insights in various aspects of differences between western and eastern society, including culture and linguistics. Throughout my undergraduate years, I concentrated my studies in second language learning by minoring in English and communications and participating in extracurricular activities. I volunteered at an ESL class in a high school, where the teacher provided me with an actual teaching experience. Serving as an active member of International Students Association, I assisted international students academically throughout my undergraduate years. In my senior year of university, I was able to apply my studies into practice when I worked and lived in Korea for a year teaching English at a public school through TaLK.  Furthermore, during my stay in Korea, I served as a translator for native English teachers in provincial meetings and activities. Following my graduation from university, I worked as a bilingual accounting clerk of an Asian food product distribution company. I provided language supports to Korean clients, as well as assisting vendors and clients of different backgrounds in the area of accounting. In my spare time, I tutored English and SAT to Korean middle school and high school students from my church as a side job.

I will be completing the six-month contract working as a writing instructor for Avalon English in May, and I wish to start working as an English teacher in mid June. During the last four months of employment at Avalon English, I have developed my own teaching strategies and methods for a better class flow. For instance, I can easily identify and clarify Korean students’ recurring mistakes that are resulted from student’s tendency of directly translating Korean language to English. To maintain healthy student-teacher relationships, I learned to refrain myself from speaking to students in Korean to the minimum in order to improve students involvement in speaking in English. Teaching various students, I was able to discover my personal preference and strengths in teaching, such as my preference and potency in teaching middle and upper level middle school students. Also, I proved myself to be very useful working in a multicultural office employing my bilingual skill and serving as a translator and a connector between the foreign teachers and Korean teachers.

In sum, my past background, studies, and experience have shaped me into someone who would make a great English teacher to Koreans. Being a perfect bilingual and possessing multicultural perspectives, I believe I have a gift in student teaching. And most importantly, teaching English to Korean students have always been my passion. Thus, I would dedicate myself in teachings students and devote to each student’s English learning. Thank you for your time in viewing my personal statement and considering me as a candidate. With a great enthusiasm, I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Jimin Lim